Frequently Asked Questions
1. ARE THE FLOWERS REAL?
Yes! – all the flowers grow on the Big Island of Hawaii. All preservation processes are conducted by ourselves in Hilo.
2. BUT ARE THEY PRACTICAL TO WEAR?
Absolutely! Repeatedly! However they are not indestructible. Do not leave attached to clothes when put into the washing machine or sit in a car with the seat belt over them. (See Q # 5 below)
3. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THEM?
We have flowers totally exposed (roses, orchids, ferns, Naupaka) and those totally encased (pressed wild flowers, micro mini orchids & limu): each is subject to a different preservation process.
Every exposed flower, (roses, orchids etc) is gently and systemically treated with our own proprietary processes, perfected over many years. (now patented). These are not freeze-dried flowers, they are not simply dipped, or sprayed. Our treatment is “in” the flowers, not “on” them. They have been made permanent, pliable and practical to wear. Hygienic – no bugs or microbes – they are harmless to the skin. Lightweight, they will not chip or shatter like porcelain, glass and dried flowers. They are “the permanent fresh cut flower”.
Every encased flower (wild pressed flowers, micro mini orchids, Limu)  is processed to protect against the ravages of ultra-violet light upon the colors of their dainty structure. Then a liquid jeweler’s resin, is applied over the flowers and Limu totally encasing them so that there is no air inside. This prevents them oxidizing (going brown), thus ensuring long lasting color retention. The resin also protects the flowers from impact and abrasion making these tiny dainty items so very practical to wear.
4. HOW DO YOU MAKE THE FLOWERS SO SMALL?
We do not do anything to their size – even the smallest ones are the size Mother Nature makes them.
5. HOW LONG WILL THEY LAST?
Provided they’re treated with all the respect you apply to a corsage of truly fresh cut flowers directly from a florist, they’ll give pleasure for years (not just that day).
If simply stored in their box, or placed on a silk cushion for display as a collectible, they will outlast everyone reading this website!
However, it doesn’t matter how long they last as each has a lifetime guarantee!
6. WHAT IS YOUR WARRANTY?
Please read our Warranty.
7. WHAT ABOUT PUTTING A COAT OVER THEM?
Would you do that with a fresh cut flower from the florist? (see # 5 above). Not recommended. However, why not reverse the procedure and put the flower on the outside of the coat? That’s what it’s made for!
8. WHAT ABOUT THE COLORS?
All our flowers are treated to preserve their natural colors, particularly against the ravages of ultra violet light. This treatment is not intended to change the colors but to preserve them. Â In some cases there have been instances of natural colors seemingly to have become a little more intense yet still clearly identifiable with the original natural state. Â However, in the orchids only, the colors blue, green and red are not natural and have been added synthetically to create a fashion statement to work with some clothing colors for which otherwise the natural orchids are not a strong enough emphasis.
In the pressed wildflowers all the colors are natural and not synthetically changed.
Over time, all our flowers will not so much fade or change color, as simply lose some intensity taking on an “antiqued” patina. For many this adds value.
9. HOW DO YOU CLEAN THEM? WHAT ABOUT HAIRSPRAY?RAIN?
For the roses and orchids, gently brush them out with a clean, dry, thin makeup brush or artist’s brush to take out dry dust. For more stubborn soiling, gently rinse them out under the tap using lukewarm water with NO detergent. Shake/blow off any excess. Water and hairspray will not harm them. For the pressed flowers set in sterling silver and plated sterling silver, we have achieved good results from Sunshine Products Professional Jewelry Cleaner – it is biodegradable and does no harm to the resin coatings over our pressed flowers as may other harsher solvent based cleaners, especially those containing abrasives. This product requires no rubbing. It is available at 1 800 783 1999, which is in Arlington WA., or, at www.glo-techinc.com. It is not available from us.
We derive no benefit for this recommendation, which is unsolicited. We have no commercial or investment link with this company. We will accept no liability for any consequences from the use of their products.
In mid 2013 we ceased using sterling silver and plated silver in our settings and replaced it with plated rhodium. This does not tarnish and contains no nickle. It needs no cleaning with any polish or silver cleaner. It only needs wiping to take off soiling.
10. HOW DO YOU PACKAGE THEM?
All our items are shipped each in its own special gift box and in some cases a luxury black velvet pouch. These serve several purposes – one is for safe shipping – (all our boxes meet USPS, FedEx, and UPS shipping specs), another is to present the products as most attractive “gifts-to-go”. All you need do is add your favorite ribbon.
Additionally, our exposed orchid products are packaged in boxes designed to help retain their colors and to hold the products when not being worn in such a way as to prolong their use. Â Please see item # 6 above on our guarantees and how some may be revoked if not retained in that packaging.
11. WHY DO YOU EMPHASIZE YOUR NEW COMBINATION HAIR CLIP-BROOCHES (combos) SO?
Simply because they are our very best sellers! This new development has largely now obsolesced our separate magnet brooches and separate hair clips, creating one very practical and versatile concept combining the two. Â See the separate item on our menu for this style to find out why!
12. DO YOU APPLY MAGNETS ON ALL DESIGNS?
No, only to what we specifically designate as having magnet attachments in our product descriptions. Any item attached by a conventional bar-pin with a safety catch is referred to as a “pin”. We do not apply magnets to any earrings. Please see also the special section on the menu for magnet brooches.
13. DO YOU SELL INDIVIDUAL FLOWERS?
No. All our flowers are currently fully taken up in our own production.
14. WILL YOU MAKE CUSTOM DESIGNS?
Yes, within reason. Each request will be considered separately. We do actively make items for weddings and special events for those wishing to keep the flowers for wear as a permanent memento.
15. WILL YOU PLEASE PRESERVE SOME FLOWERS I HAVE FROM A SPECIAL EVENT THAT I WISH TO KEEP AS FLEXIBLE AND NOT SIMPLY DRIED FLOWERS?
Sorry, we cannot do that. Our system requires that the flowers be alive when we start our treatment. Anything sent to us from other than our nurseries is almost impossible to treat. In any event most such flowers will have been damaged or bruised, and our treatment would only serve to show up these injuries and you would not be happy with that.
16. DO YOU SELL WHOLESALE TO SHOPS AND BUSINESSES?
Yes, on a select basis. Experience has taught us that some types of business and location are more suited than others for successful re-sale of our products. We will be happy to discuss this directly with any one interested.
17. DO YOU FRANCHISE YOUR PRODUCT FOR SALE OTHER THAN THROUGH RETAIL SHOPS?
Yes, again on a select basis, dependent upon the type of business and its location or area for sale. Please talk to us if you are interested.